How to Stay Safe and Ready During a Power Outage

Summary

• Prepare for power outages by creating a family emergency plan, ensuring your home is weatherproofed, checking smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and preparing for health and accessibility needs with extra supplies and emergency contacts.
• Stock up on nonperishable foods and safe drinking water, keep power banks charged, and use strategies like freezing extra items to extend refrigerator and freezer longevity during outages.
• During partial outages or outages caused by storms, infrastructure issues or other factors, prioritize safety by disconnecting sensitive devices, contacting utility companies and following food safety guidelines. 

Does your heart skip a beat when the lights flicker? Could you find your flashlight or your phone in the dark? And most importantly, do you know what to do during a power outage?

Power outages can be unsettling, especially when they happen without warning. But a little preparation goes a long way. With the right steps and supplies, you can stay safe, comfortable and informed—whether you’re facing a brief blackout or wondering how long power outages typically last in your area.

Create a family plan

One of the best ways to help protect your family is through preparation—which starts with making a household emergency plan.

Designate a central contact person and decide where you’ll meet if you need to leave home due to a power outage. Ready.gov offers free emergency plan templates to help you get started.

If you live with older adults, children with medical needs, or pets, plan for backup medical supplies, ID tags and extra batteries for hearing aids or medical devices.

Not sure if your current home policy covers outage-related damage? Contact your insurance agent to review your coverage. You may want added protection for things like spoiled food, sump pump failures or temporary housing.

A plan is especially important if you’re wondering how to prepare for a long-term power outage due to storms, wildfires or a major infrastructure failure.

Prep your home ahead of time

Taking proactive steps before a storm hits can make a big difference in how well you weather a power outage. These steps can help reduce damage and keep your household safe.

Weatherproof your space

• Seal and insulate doors, windows and attic spaces to help retain heat if your HVAC system stops working.
• Fix leaks and clear gutters to prevent water damage.
• Trim tree branches that hang near power lines or your home to reduce the risk of falling limbs during storms.

Prep your heating sources

• Inspect wood stove or fireplace chimney and flues annually. A blocked flue can lead to smoke buildup or carbon monoxide exposure.
• Have your furnace, vents and heating system serviced regularly to ensure everything is running efficiently and safely.
• Store extra blankets and warm clothes where you can grab them quickly in cold weather.

Prep for warm weather

• If a storm is coming that may knock out power, lower your thermostat to cool the house as much as possible.
• Purchase battery-powered fans for every person in the house.

Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

• Install battery-operated smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of your home for fire prevention.
• Test them regularly, keep spare batteries on hand, and replace them regularly according to their owner’s manuals.

Plumbing

• Fill a bathtub with water and keep buckets nearby to help flush toilets if water pressure gets low.

Plan for health and accessibility

• Keep an easy-to-read thermometer in the main living area, especially if older adults live in your home. Seniors may not feel cold as quickly and can be more vulnerable to health problems caused by low temperatures.
• Know the signs of heat stroke, including elevated body temperature, nausea, headache, dizziness, accelerated heart rate and confusion, among others.
• Have extra medication and medical supplies on hand.
• Store important health documents in a waterproof bag and have an emergency contact list printed and placed somewhere visible.
• Charge a few portable power banks to keep phones or small devices running.

Are partial power outages dangerous?

Sometimes, only part of your home may lose power, or the lights dim instead of going out completely. These partial outages can signal electrical issues that could damage appliances or even cause fires. If this happens, unplug sensitive devices and call your electric utility company immediately.

Who to call for a power outage

If the lights are out, you might wonder how to check the status of a power outage in your area and who to contact. Most utility companies have outage maps, text alerts and mobile apps to track restoration times and report issues in your area.

Learn how to report a power outage in advance so you’re not scrambling when the lights go out. Bookmark your utility’s outage page or save their number in your phone.

Food and supplies you can count on

Power outages can last for a few hours or can go on for weeks, depending on the severity of the incident and your location. While downed lines due to storms and equipment failures are common culprits, causes of a power outage can include high electricity demand, accidents or infrastructure problems. That’s why it’s smart to stock your home with basic supplies before you need them.

Stock up on nonperishable foods

Experts recommend keeping at least three days’ worth of food that doesn’t require refrigeration or cooking. Examples include:

• Canned beans, vegetables and soups (don’t forget a manual can opener)
• Peanut butter, crackers and granola bars
• Ready-to-eat tuna, chicken or salmon packets
• Shelf-stable milk, plant-based milk or protein powder
• Applesauce, dried fruit and trail mix

When you’re planning to prepare for a long-term power outage, consider adding more variety and volume to your pantry, including powdered drink mixes, electrolyte packets and freeze-dried meals.

Store safe drinking water

Keep at least one gallon of water per person per day, and more if you have pets, infants or medical needs. Consider freezing extra water bottles ahead of time to keep your freezer cold if the power goes out.

Maximize freezer and fridge time

A full freezer can stay cold for about 48 hours (less if it’s not full), and a closed refrigerator can keep food safely cold for up to four hours. You can stretch that window with a bit of planning:

• Group items in the fridge and freezer to help them stay cooler longer.
• Freeze extra leftovers, milk and bread in advance, especially if a storm is forecast.
• Use coolers with ice packs to extend safe storage time.

A common question is, “What should I throw out of the freezer after a power outage?” As a general rule, toss any perishable food that’s been above 40°F for more than two hours. The FDA has a food safety guide for outages, but when in doubt, throw it out.

Power outages can be both unpredictable and anticipated. Either way, preparation is the key to making it through safely and as comfortably as possible until the lights come back on.